Challenges for the students; adapting to GFP standards

OQN Seminar: Learning by Sharing17th March 2010

Dr Andrew Thomas & Aslam Wadair

International College of Engineering & Management

The Context

Macro – Regional

Meso - Organisational

Micro - Student

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5 Key Challenges

cognition

language

knowledge

culture

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Cognition

Challenge• Think critically & analytically• Expand world knowledge

beyond the village & the self

• Apply knowledge

Pathways• Assess ‘meaningfulness’• Assess attributes

– Learner training– Thinking skills– Application of knowledge– Information literacy– Communication

• Allow for failure & redemption

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Language & Knowledge

Challenge• Linguistic level v Knowledge• Knowledge v Skills

Pathway• Focus on knowledge at

entry; skills at exit?• Stepped Levels/ ind. profile• Spiralled objectives• Benchmarked objectives

separate from materials• Criterion-based testing• Varied means of testing

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Culture

Challenge• Adapt to the learning

culture of the organisation i.e. ‘how things are done around here’– autonomy– attendance– expectations

Pathways• Coach• Communicate• Counsel

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TIME

Challenge• Never enough!

Pathway• Belief takes time• Growth takes time• Culture change takes time• Good work takes time• Coach• Ramp up expectations• Extend programme length

or limit entry

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Expectations

• ‘In your opinion, do you think higher education should be free or not in your country?’

• Write a five paragraph opinion essay of 450-500 words. Support your opinions with examples.

• You have 1 hr to correct the 1st draft using course books, notes, peers etc.

• You have 1 hr to write the second draft & attach your planning from the 1st draft

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Student Perceptions

What is difficult?• Teacher pressure• Full timetable• No calculators

What is helpful?• Weekly tests (C/A & VTL)• Working in groups• New levels/ structure• Mark distribution across

summative and C/A

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Copyright ;Gary Larson . ND.(Farside)